Page 116 of The Second First Chance

Jeff stepped up and pinned Riya’s new rank onto her shirt. “Couldn’t ask for a better sister in fire, Lieutenant Desai.”

Dhillon swelled with pride as she accepted her new rank. Riya was amazing, and she was his. A huge round of applause erupted, and Riya flushed, catching his eye.

“Thank you.” She looked around the room. “I couldn’t have done it without everyone here.” She paused to swallow, as tears filled her eyes. “But especially my brothers,” she said, as she looked at Marcus, Bill, Alejandro and Jeff, “who always have my back. And I wouldn’t want to do it without Dhillon, who ismyhero.”

“Mommy is a loo-tenny! Can we have cake now?” Samir had his priorities all set. Laughter and another round of applause, and everyone congratulated her.

“Sure,” Dhillon said, laughing, and he made his way to where his mother-in-law was cutting pieces of the cake. He settled his kids with their servings and was trying to get to his wife when the alarm sounded.

Jeff left Hetal’s side with a quick kiss. Marcus and Bill each shoved a bite of cake into their mouths and went to answer the call, Riya along with them. Dhillon picked up the children to keep them out of the way, holding one child in each arm. He followed the firefighters out to the bay.

Firefighters in action still looked like organized chaos to him. Riya was already in her turnout gear and helmet as she came over to them. “Sorry, kids, Mommy has to go. Have cake.” She kissed each of her children on the forehead and gave them both a quick hug. “Love you guys.”

“What do we say to Mommy?” Dhillon looked at his children.

They each raised a tiny fist and waved it. “Go get ’em, Mommy!” they chorused. Riya laughed.

Dhillon caught her eye. She still made his heart race. “Love you, too, Dhillon-V.”

He leaned down and kissed her lips. “You go be a hero, Riya-D. I’ll be right here, waiting for you.”